Definition
Lessons of War (Chinese: 百戰奇略, Bǎizhàn Qílǜe, lit. “Extraordinary Strategies in a Hundred Battles”) by Liu Ji (Liu Bowen) is a 14th-century refinement of the Art of War. It focuses on the historical application of strategic principles, centering on the reduction of opposition and the mastery of “Flexibility” over brute force.
Why It Matters
Liu Ji’s refinement of strategy focuses on the “conservation of friction,” teaching that every created opponent is a future liability; the goal of a great leader is to build a “porcupine-like” structural integrity that makes opposition both expensive and irrational for any adversary.
Core Concepts
1. The Strategy of Opposition
- The Metric of Opposition: “Good warriors lessen opponents, bad warriors increase opponents.” Flourishing is a function of minimizing the rationale for resistance.
- Using Opponents to Oppose Opponents: Neutralizing threats by leveraging their own internal contradictions and rivalries (achieving victory with zero direct friction).
- The Porcupine Principle: A “small but secure” formation can render massive, ferocious power helpless. Structural integrity (Form) can defeat superior momentum.
2. Tactical Patterns (Case Studies)
- Calculated Battle: Before action, assess relative sagacity, strength, numbers, terrain, and provisions. Victory is a product of “human planning,” not just “celestial timing.”
- Feigning (Strength & Weakness):
- Strength: Increasing fire-stoves or banners to look more numerous when weak (inducing hesitation).
- Weakness: Appearing cowardly or inept (e.g., Li Mu vs. Huns) to entice the enemy into a careless overextension.
- Mastery of Energy: Recognize that bravery is a function of “Energy” (Qi). Drumming it up too often exhausts it; striking when the enemy’s energy is “Receding” (post-noon/fatigue) ensures victory.
- Good Faith as Force Multiplier: Leadership based on trust (e.g., releasing troops due for leave) creates a force that will fight to the death to repay kindness.
- Response to Change: Expertise is the ability to “gain victory by changing and adapting according to opponents.” If opponents show no movement, wait; if they change, exploit.
3. Logistical & Environmental Realities
- The Siege as Stranglehold: Besieging is a last resort. If the enemy is isolated, use a “slow forest” approach to starve them out rather than a high-casualty direct assault.
- Supply Chain Sabotage: Deep penetration (heavy ground) requires “feeding off the enemy.” Conversely, a defender wins by “cutting off supply routes” and allowing the invader to starve.
- Reconnaissance: “Hearing about something a hundred times is not as good as seeing it once.” Direct observation of terrain and enemy state is the basis of all valid strategy.